self development through shadow work

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self-Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Tarot Du Vin Monochrome edition and Phantasmagoria II LE Playing Cards

Earth – Three of Swords – Be wary of dropping into feelings of disappointment concerning where you are at this time. Resources, money, work, and your health are all up in the air at the moment. Remember that things aren’t as bad as your negative and pessimistic inner narrative is trying to tell you they are.

Air – Four of Wands – There’s a lot to be said for hearth and home. Make sure that you are doing what you can to make these spaces, places, and people as welcoming as possible for you right now. You need to feel that sense of welcome to help combat what’s going on in your head.

Water – Page of Cups – A part of growth is pain. That’s why it’s called “growing pains”. It’s all a part of the process. Don’t give up just because it hurts. That pain actually means you might be getting somewhere instead of being stuck in the mud.

Fire – Queen of Swords – Do what you need to do to support what needs supported… and no more than that. Don’t allow others to put upon you responsibility that don’t belong to you. Instead, teach them to take responsibility for their own shit.

Waning – Ace of Clubs and Queen of Spades – Now is not the time to be proactive in connecting with those from your past. Leave it alone. Looking back isn’t always the answer.

Waxing – Five of Spades and Nine of Clubs – As long as you avoid connecting with those from your past this week, you will have no reason to be on the defensive and ready for attack.

If you choose to ignore the advice in the Waning position of this reading, though, you need to make sure that you have defensive measures in place in order to be the one that comes out on top when conflict arises.

Take Away – Just because things don’t -feel- like they’re going the way you want them to doesn’t mean you have to buy into that reality. Stay afloat by using those places and people that feel like home to help you feel both uplifted and comforted, and take care to avoid those from your past that could damage this support that you need right now.

DECKS USED: TAROT DU VIN MONOCHROME FIRST EDITION AND PHANTASMAGORIA II LE PLAYING CARDS

📆 Transitioning from April to May

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Month End Oracle Reading with the Jeremy Miranda Deck

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Center – Awakening. There is a first blush of awakening upon you right now. You left the light on all night through the darkness and your struggle… and now the sun returns, coming back to illuminate the world once more.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Center Left – Over the past six months or so you have been functioning in a state deep shadow. Although the light cast within your sphere has allowed you to fumble your way forward, it has created more shadows than you’ve been able to deal with on your own. It’s time to work at leaving those shadows behind and stepping into the light. Open the blinds and let the sunlight in.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Center Right – You want to hold within you an unflappable strength, but you need to remember that that kind of strength comes with a frigid amount of cold. Perhaps you need to consider a warmer approach instead.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Center Bottom – That cold mentioned above is not your friend, and thus why looking for a warmer approach is a good idea. Don’t freeze others out, and take care not to freeze yourself in. It may look like strength, but it’s actually doing more harm than good.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Center Top – Don’t just “open the blinds” as mentioned in The Slough position of this reading, but tear them down so that the light can come in more fully. There’s always going to be dark spots in your life that you struggle to illuminate and have the ability to take over from time to time. Now is an opportunity for you to shed light as far as you can and beat that darkness back.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Bottom Left – Sometimes when alone feels safe, it’s really just loneliness giving you a false sense of security. After all, when you’re alone, the only person who can hurt you is you. This may provide a sense of serenity, but it’s counterproductive to what you really need.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Bottom Right – If you want to spend some time with yourself and wallow in alone time, make sure that you’re doing so in healthy ways, with bare feet on bare earth or your fingers in the soil. Pull up a chair and settle in when presented with these healthy options.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Top Left – Don’t fall for superficial bullshit. Especially when the real thing is so easily accessible to you.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Top Right – Remember that there are two sides to every coin, and you need to take every opportunity that you have to look on the positive side instead of wallowing in the negative one. Just because the negative one seems more comfortable doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you, or healthy for you either.

Message from the Spirit World – Lean into the nurturing of nature. Get yourself outside. Allowing yourself to be secluded inside all the time is not healthy for you and thus has a direct impact on everything around you.

Message from the Mind’s World – It’s time to cast light on the beliefs you hold that hold you back from connecting with others and keep you at a distance. Especially in your efforts towards positivity and optimism.

Message from the Physical World – Your body is going to be much happier if you connect with nature and get your ass outside rather than freezing yourself back into a pattern of solitude.

DECKS USED: THE MIRANDA DECK

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self-Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Draco Nouveau Tarot and Insight Enlightenment Oracle

Earth – Eight of Cups – Pay attention to your frustrations this week and weigh if it really feels worth the emotional upheaval to stay with things as things are.

If not?

Walk away. You’ll just be beating your head against a brick wall. It’s not worth your time and effort.

Air – Three of Pentacles – Lean upon those you trust to help and support your endeavors, and take care to discard any offers of help from those you don’t.

Water – Six of Swords – Again, as mentioned in the Earth position of this reading, if something isn’t working for you and is causing you emotional issues then it’s time to step away. Don’t hold onto what’s just holding you back.

Fire – Three of Wands – Remember that only you get to choose the direction you want to go in. You can bring others along for the ride, but make sure the decisions you’re making are a fit for you and not them. You come first, not second or third.

Waning – Specialty – Just because someone says that they cornered the market on a skill in some area, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the best choice. Make sure to keep your options open.

Waxing – Abundance – Stay conscious and aware of the things that make you happy instead of closing your eyes to them. There is abundance around you all the time, but sometimes you forget to look for it.

Take Away – Take no shit this week, not from others and not from any of the things that may come up that aren’t working for you. Set it aside and walk away instead of allowing it to frustrate and cause negativity to rise up. Pivot, instead, to leaning on those close to you that you trust. Only those you trust. Snake oil salesman need not apply, including their well used tools to trigger FOMO.

DECKS USED: DRACO NOUVEAU TAROT AND INSIGHT ENLIGHTENMENT CARDS

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Bleu Cat Tarot and Daffodil Farm Dairy Playing Cards

Earth – Three of Balls – There’s a lot of stuff that you can do on your own, but you need to make sure that you’re looking out for opportunities to include others in your projects. Not everything has to be done alone and sometimes the input from outside sources can help you wiggle free of creative plateaus and other “sticky” spots.

Air – The Magician – Don’t “flip the table” just because things aren’t going your way. It’s better to pause and work things out than it is to make a mess out of things just because you’ve become impatient. Use your words.

Water – Two of Plants Rx – If it’s not right, it’s not right. Sometimes imbalance is the only way to create balance in the long run. Move things around and make a mess, and order will be created in the aftermath.

Fire – Six of Balls Rx – Be greedy this week. It’ll help you pick up the slack from past weeks to take in a little extra where you ban in the week ahead.

Waning – Nine of Spades and Queen of Spades – Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Do your due diligence instead of leaving things up to chance this week.

Waxing – Four of Spades and King of Spades – Instead of giving away all of your secrets to others than use for their own benefit, hold your cards close to your vest and use them to lead by example instead.

Take Away – If you’re not willing to make a mess and include others in your creative process, there’s a good chance you’re not going to get much done this week. Stop being so stubborn about doing everything yourself.

DECKS USED: BLEU CAT TAROT AND DAFFODIL FARM DAIRY PLAYING CARDS

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Good Tarot and Dusk Till Dawn Lenormand Dawn Edition

Earth – The Fool Rx – Practicality needs to rule this week. There’s no time for frivolity and carelessness. Measured steps are best while keeping your eye on the path before you and what lies ahead.

Air – Eight of Air atop The Tower – Don’t ignore the shit storm. Get in there and get your hands dirty. It’s only through opening your eyes to what’s going on around you that you can respond appropriately in the moment, and thus prepare for how to come out the other side with a plan.

Water – Nine of Water atop Eight of Fire Rx – Remember that there is no need for speed right now. You are paying attention and watching the chips fall. You are not meddling. Instead, you are using this time to slow down and connect with your feelings and do things that make you feel better and happy. Doing these things will assist you in getting through this temporary trial in a healthier manner.

Fire – Queen of Fire – Don’t lose sight of what’s important. You need to foster this vision within you right now. Remember what you’ve worked for so far and stay true to the vision you have for where you want to go and who you want to be. Just because the ground shakes doesn’t mean it has to knock you off course.

Waning – Stork and Bouquet – No one is going to be leaping into the fray like a knight and shining armor to save you this week. Let go of the hope there’s an easy solution out there. That’s not what this current journey you’re facing is about.

Waxing – Star, Birds, Key – That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of hope to go around still. Make sure you are listening to what other people are saying, for there are answers in the advice they try to provide as well as the chatter that goes on between them.

Take Away – Pause. Breathe. Listen. Although you need to be sustaining movement through carefully thought out responses and reactions, it’s far more important to pay attention and glean what you can from the situation as well as from others. Make sure any actions you -do- take this week are geared toward the direction you want things to go in and the person you want to grow into. Base your decisions upon these future goals.

Other elements included in this reading:
Zodiac Wheel spun to land between Libra and Scorpio
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Raw Clear Quartz for promoting a Sharper Mind
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE GOOD TAROT AND DUSK TILL DAWN LENORMAND DAWN EDITION

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Buddha Tarot and Glimmer Walker Lenormand Day Edition

Earth – Four of Lotuses – Celebrate your love of hearth and home. Use this week to reconnect with those places and people that feel most like “home” to you. You will feel better for having done so, and so will they.

Air – Amitabha: The Buddha of Lotuses – Reconnect with deeply held values as you make decisions this week. You have the opportunity to share those values with others in meaningful ways by simply leading by example.

Water – Two of Varjas / Dharmachakra Mudra – Make sure when debating with others this week that you are not bringing your emotions into the equation. This isn’t a power struggle, it’s an attempt to find truth, and everyone’s perspective needs to be taken into account and respected.

Fire – The Invalid / The Suffering Man – Step back from protestations and other arguments that will get no one anywhere. Now is a time to connect and observe. Treat the problems that rise this week with empathy instead of ferocity.

Waning – Man and Woman – Polarization is not your friend this week. Balance is a much better option than trying to chameleon yourself into a situation by being more or less aggressive. Focus on the middle road instead of the push and pull to choose sides.

Waxing – Key and Fox – Listen and take time to process and percolate before taking action. Strategy is the key to success in the week ahead. Be clever.

Take Away – There may be a few debates along the way this week, but stay true to the idea that wisdom comes from observation and understanding rather than trying to get your own way through force. Instead of worrying about these moments of possible conflict, focus on connection and fostering a feeling of “home” wherever you go.

DECKS USED: THE BUDDHA TAROT AND GLIMMER WALKER LENORMAND DAY EDITION